The core difference
| Factor | Bareboat | Crewed |
|---|---|---|
| Who sails | You (with licence/experience) | Professional captain |
| Cost (typical 50 ft) | $15,000–25,000/wk | +$8,000–10,000/wk |
| Experience needed | Yes (ICC / equivalent) | None |
| Privacy | Full | Shared with crew |
| Local knowledge | Your research | Built-in |
| Best for | Experienced sailors, budget | Families, non-sailors, celebrations |
Choose bareboat if…
- You have (or can get) an ICC or equivalent and some charter experience.
- You genuinely enjoy sailing and want hands-on control.
- You want full privacy and flexibility on where to go each day.
- Budget matters — bareboat saves you $8,000–10,000/week.
Choose crewed if…
- Anyone in your group is new to sailing — everyone relaxes, nobody worries.
- You want a chef-level hostess and a captain who knows the secret anchorages.
- It's a special occasion (honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday).
- You'd rather spend your vacation time on the boat, not the navigation.
Our specialist take
After 30+ years of arranging charters, our rule of thumb is simple: if there's any doubt about the sailing ability or enthusiasm of your crew, go crewed. The premium buys a stress-free holiday for everyone — and a captain who knows exactly when to leave the mooring to beat the crowds. If you're all experienced and love the sailing itself, bareboat in the BVI or the Greek Ionian is hard to beat.
💡 A middle option worth asking about: "bareboat with skipper" — you crew the boat
alongside a captain. Lower cost than full crewed, zero navigation stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bareboat charter cheaper than crewed? ▾
Yes — bareboat is the base yacht rate. A crewed charter typically adds $1,200–1,500/day for a captain and hostess, roughly doubling the all-in cost of a week.
Do I need a licence to bareboat charter? ▾
For bareboat you generally need documented sailing experience plus an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) in the Mediterranean. The BVI, USVI and Bahamas are more relaxed — most operators accept equivalent charter experience plus a checkout sail. Crewed requires no licence.
Can I mix bareboat and crewed? ▾
Yes. Many operators offer "bareboat with skipper" (captain only, you still crew) as a middle ground — you get local knowledge and safety without the full hostess service.
Is a crewed charter worth it for experienced sailors? ▾
If you want total relaxation and local knowledge (best anchorages, restaurants, weather routing), yes. If you love sailing and want flexibility and privacy, bareboat is usually the better fit.